Pre-Amp and DAC advice

[Jefrpol]

After a recent calamity, my preamp/dac needs to be replaced. There aren't many features I need but I do want xlr ins-and-outs for the preamp, would prefer to have the dac and preamp as separate units and to keep the total pre-tax cost under $2k or so. After considering a number of options I've somewhat narrowed it down to either a Schiit Kara/Eversolo A6 combo (I only need two digital inputs for a dac and two xlr inputs on the preamp side) or an Eversolo A8. I had considered the Topping Pre90 but I have general concerns about Topping reliability specific concerns with reported remote control issues. Other than the additional digital inputs, is there any real advantage (space is not an issue) to the A8 over the Kara/A6 combo? Is there something else I should be looking at?

 

[Gary_G]

I really like my Parasound P6, but it's a all in one setup.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I might look at the Okto Research stereo DAC. It doesn't have a screen like the Eversolo so not sure how important that is to you.

Okto dac8 stereo DAC Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Okto dac8 stereo DAC. It was kindly sent to me by the company for review. It costs €1 089 from the company ($1,240 as of this writing). The version I have has the optional Raspberry Pi 4 module for streaming which costs an extra $89. Last I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Should work fine with any good preamp.

 

[Timcognito]

Plenty of inputs and outputs plus Dirac DSP even analog

SHD

Roon Ready network audio streamer with Dirac Live® room correction, miniDSP audio toolbox for subwoofer integration and multiway speakers, Volumio music player, Audiophile 32-bit converters, 450MHz Sharc DSP processor

www.minidsp.com

 

[HoweSound]

I have the Schiit Freya S (the Kara precursor) and Eversolo A6 combo with a Hypex Nilai stereo amp. I'm very pleased with the package. The Freya S is excellent in terms of audio performance, but has minor flaws - no front panel on/off switch, no trigger and lacks a rotary source selector. Still happy with my choices. Very happy with the A6 as a dac and streamer. I have my flac music collection on SSD and use Qobuz as well

 

[MAB]

Plenty of inputs and outputs plus Dirac DSP even analog

SHD

Roon Ready network audio streamer with Dirac Live® room correction, miniDSP audio toolbox for subwoofer integration and multiway speakers, Volumio music player, Audiophile 32-bit converters, 450MHz Sharc DSP processor

www.minidsp.com

Adding, the unit was reviewed here:

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

This is an update to the review of minidsp SHD that I did a couple of years ago. My tests have evolved since then and company has stated that they fixed a few issues I found in that test. The SHD costs US $1,195 and includes a USB DAC, streaming engine (based on Volumio) and of course, DSP...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The Flex Balanced is another option, which includes an analog input, and is less expensive.

Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

This is a review and detailed measurement of the Minidsp Flex audio signal processor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $475 for unbalanced and $550 for balanced that I tested. Flex borrows the interface from SHD and puts it in a compact package. Seeing how I really liked that...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Also has great performance.

I own both, use them as preamp, DSP room correction, and active speaker crossover.

 

[Middle Earth]

The Eversolo DMP A8 is really nice
I had a Parasound P6 and it is expensive for what you get in my opinion
I would get the DMP A8

 

[MAB]

Another really great option.

ADI-2 Pro | High-end USB Audio Converter & Headphone Amp - rme-usa.com

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

www.rme-usa.com

Review and Measurements of RME ADI-2 Pro (comparison to ADI-2 DAC)

This is comparison review and measurements of RME ADI-2 Pro against the RME ADI-2 DAC. The former has both analog to digital conversion in addition to digital to analog. I purchased that combo unit because I hope to make use of its ADC for measurements in the future. According to RME, ADI-2...

www.audiosciencereview.com

SOTA performance. Very powerful DSP. All in one box though.

I don't own this. I have a simpler model with no ADC, it is fantastic but doesn't meet your need.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Another really great option.

ADI-2 Pro | High-end USB Audio Converter & Headphone Amp - rme-usa.com

RME Audio Professional Live, Studio, Recording and Broadcast Solutions. Unrivalled Quality, Performance & Stability MADI Interfaces, Converters & Preamps.

www.rme-usa.com

Review and Measurements of RME ADI-2 Pro (comparison to ADI-2 DAC)

This is comparison review and measurements of RME ADI-2 Pro against the RME ADI-2 DAC. The former has both analog to digital conversion in addition to digital to analog. I purchased that combo unit because I hope to make use of its ADC for measurements in the future. According to RME, ADI-2...

www.audiosciencereview.com

SOTA performance. Very powerful DSP. All in one box though.

I don't own this. I have a simpler model with no ADC, it is fantastic but doesn't meet your need.

This would have been my first suggestion too if the OP hadn't said he preferred pre and DAC separate. I also gathered though not stated he wanted a streamer/DAC.

 

[Timcognito]

This would have been my first suggestion too if the OP hadn't said he preferred pre and DAC separate. I also gathered though not stated he wanted a streamer/DAC.

True but he asked for more options, so we're cool.

 

[jruser]

From a numbers standpoint, I’d go with the Schiit Kara (in passive mode) combined with a Loxjie D40 Pro, or a SMSL DO100 Pro to save little more.

I’m currently using the very similar Schiit Freya S and SMSL SU-9 Pro combo to great effect.

DMP-A8 by itself would probably be good, but we’ve yet to see any measurements for its preamp section.

 

[Jefrpol]

Thanks for the responses.

I currently use a Wiim Pro but was thinking of combining the dac/streamer function. The Eversolo besides measuring well has the benefit of looking sharp.

Most of my music listening is through JRiver which applies dsp in turn. Thought I saw an note (perhaps it was speculation) that dsp will be added to the A6 and I don't think the A8 applies dsp to the analogue input regardless. Should I add a sub down the road (using the F208s, I haven't felt the need) I'd consider the Flex for more extensive dsp abilities but, for the moment, it's not a primary concern.

If it weren't for my turntable, I'd look for a digital only front-end. I also want fullsize units. It may offer no advantage but I don't care for the look of desktop units on a full size shelf.

I think Stereophile is publishing their review of the A8 online tomorrow. To me, it doesn't look like I'd miss what I'd be missing from the Kara/A6 combo versus the A8.